Been a long time, I know.
I got lazy, then forgot I had this blog, and ignored it at some point too! Well, about two months since my last post, I'm back but who knows how often I'll post. Can't make any promises.
Well, let me start by saying that my third semester of grad school came to an end, and my semester project wrapped up beautifully, so I'm glad for that. I put a lot of work into it and it paid off in the end. Who knew Japanese manga could be so fascinating and rich in history, culture and also provide a very tangible pedagogical resource through the understanding of visual media as a interpretative form of prose.
Yeah, it sounds like WTF? but it was worth the invested research and time. Even with what I did manage to include into the final paper, there was so much more to include, but in the end I just wanted to finish. I still felt proud with what I had accomplished and my mentor had been a great help and such a supportive drive to reaching my goal.
And speaking of Japanese. I started my second 3-month course of Japanese instruction at the Japan Society. I started in June and continue until August. It still a lot of fun, but the material is getting harder this time. It's a follow up course, picking up from the last course I took, so many particles and sentence structure elements are slightly being tweaked with additional usage and meaning. Miyashita sensei is still my instructor, and she continues to be a hoot, ha!
It's really intense at times because she wants us to become comfortable with fluency and drills us every class with rapid fire repetition. Of course, she'll also calls on us individually at random to repeat phrases. So we are all on edge at times, but it's still fun and everyone enjoys the experience. I'm actually pretty good with pronunciation and/or articulation, but remembering grammar structures and appropriate particle usage still hinders me, a bit. I just need more practice.
Well, that's it for now. More stuff coming soon, but not sure when.
Peace, ja ne!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
An End of a Week!
Hey, all,
Well, another week has or is coming to an end, depending on where you are when you read this. It's been a fairly good week. Nice warm weather in the 70s one day and 50 degrees the next day. Yeah, it's still crazy like that, and it drives me insane.
I going to complain - when will the weather stay constant and warm! Ha!
Besides that, I have another update to give. This past Monday marked the end of my first 3-month Japanese class. I can't believe how quickly those three months went by and how much material my class learned. My instructor, Miyashita sensei, taught us and guided us through 16 lessons that covered simple sentence structure, positive-negative and present-past verb and adjective conjugation.
She covered time, asking questions, and setting up meeting places. These are just a small fraction of all the material that we learned, but it felt like a long and fun semester!
I really enjoyed it and my understanding of the Japanese language grew just a bit more. I will probably register for the next 3-month cycle which will begin soon, but for now its review time because I'm forgetting a lot of what I learned at the beginning of the course. Ha!
Stay well out there, and until then!
Well, another week has or is coming to an end, depending on where you are when you read this. It's been a fairly good week. Nice warm weather in the 70s one day and 50 degrees the next day. Yeah, it's still crazy like that, and it drives me insane.
I going to complain - when will the weather stay constant and warm! Ha!
Besides that, I have another update to give. This past Monday marked the end of my first 3-month Japanese class. I can't believe how quickly those three months went by and how much material my class learned. My instructor, Miyashita sensei, taught us and guided us through 16 lessons that covered simple sentence structure, positive-negative and present-past verb and adjective conjugation.
She covered time, asking questions, and setting up meeting places. These are just a small fraction of all the material that we learned, but it felt like a long and fun semester!
I really enjoyed it and my understanding of the Japanese language grew just a bit more. I will probably register for the next 3-month cycle which will begin soon, but for now its review time because I'm forgetting a lot of what I learned at the beginning of the course. Ha!
Stay well out there, and until then!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
How Much Longer Is Winter Going To Last?
Hey, Guys,
Wow, this is my third post today! It's like I'm making up for all the lost time, ha! Well, if you live in the northeastern U.S., like me, then you too have noticed that winter STILL has not gone away.
Spring should have sprang upon us about a week and a half ago, but no, winter is still hanging around and keeping us in our scarfs and heavy coats. What is so strange about this whole ordeal is the fact that just a few weeks ago, we had 70 degree weather and then it dropped to 30!
Then, just yesterday, the sun was out and the temperature was fairly warm that I thought spring had arrived. I walked through the city with my jacket unzipped and enjoyed the pleasant change. I knew that a new storm system was approaching and bringing with it rain and SNOW! AHHHH!!
It's not supposed to be a lot here in NYC, but up north, I read that accumulations would be worse. We're all fed up with the cold, freezing weather, and we want warmer conditions to hit us already. We're being hopeful, and counting down the days when warmer weather will finally hit! Even tracking bird migration patterns have been used to predict when spring will arrive. (Only one person to thank for those updates! You know who you are! *wink*) ha!
On the way home today, I stopped by a park close to where I live and took some shots of trees and scenery that overlooks the Hudson River and New Jersey.
No snow had fallen yet, but it did rain so the ground was wet and the wind was freezing! Dead leaves are piled up along the path to my favorite spot.
All I can say is that this area needs some green! During the summer this area looks very beautiful. You can see the Hudson River and New Jersey in the distance.
Seriously, man, how much longer is this cold wintry weather going to stick around? I need warmth already. So, hopefully once this storm system goes through, warmer weather will be right around the corner. Come on, please, please, pretty please. Ha!
I can only imagine what will happen once summer does get here!
Until some other time!
Wow, this is my third post today! It's like I'm making up for all the lost time, ha! Well, if you live in the northeastern U.S., like me, then you too have noticed that winter STILL has not gone away.
Spring should have sprang upon us about a week and a half ago, but no, winter is still hanging around and keeping us in our scarfs and heavy coats. What is so strange about this whole ordeal is the fact that just a few weeks ago, we had 70 degree weather and then it dropped to 30!
Then, just yesterday, the sun was out and the temperature was fairly warm that I thought spring had arrived. I walked through the city with my jacket unzipped and enjoyed the pleasant change. I knew that a new storm system was approaching and bringing with it rain and SNOW! AHHHH!!
It's not supposed to be a lot here in NYC, but up north, I read that accumulations would be worse. We're all fed up with the cold, freezing weather, and we want warmer conditions to hit us already. We're being hopeful, and counting down the days when warmer weather will finally hit! Even tracking bird migration patterns have been used to predict when spring will arrive. (Only one person to thank for those updates! You know who you are! *wink*) ha!
On the way home today, I stopped by a park close to where I live and took some shots of trees and scenery that overlooks the Hudson River and New Jersey.
No snow had fallen yet, but it did rain so the ground was wet and the wind was freezing! Dead leaves are piled up along the path to my favorite spot.
 |
| That's the George Washington Bridge in the distance! |
 |
| I was surprised to see a Circle Line boat making its round. |
 | ||||
| This is my fav spot, and the Cloister Museum is further up! |
All I can say is that this area needs some green! During the summer this area looks very beautiful. You can see the Hudson River and New Jersey in the distance.
Seriously, man, how much longer is this cold wintry weather going to stick around? I need warmth already. So, hopefully once this storm system goes through, warmer weather will be right around the corner. Come on, please, please, pretty please. Ha!
I can only imagine what will happen once summer does get here!
Until some other time!
New Resident Evil Game Announced by Capcom!
Hey, All!
Most of you know that I'm a huge zombie fan, and that I have been a huge follower of the Resident Evil game franchise. So, when I heard the Capcom will be releasing a new game for PS3, 360 and PC, my reaction was YES! When I found out it will take place in my favorite secluded urban setting of Raccoon City, I giggled with joy at the idea of revisiting that ill-fated city.
The name of this addition to the RE franchise is: Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City.
Capcom released a press note that revealed certain details about this new game. It will be third person perspective, you operate has either part of an Umbrella sanitation unity or U.S. military unit and the time line places the game during RE 2 and RE 3.
Ahh, why tell you about, I'll just post a link below to their website:
Capcom Reveals New Resident Evil Game!
I'm very excited to play a new RE game that takes place in good old Raccoon City. At this point, more information is still yet to be released but it should be interesting to see what game modes and objectives will be added to the newest entry.
I read also that game will be centered around coop interaction and game play that is similar to Left 4 Dead. There's even a teaser trailer that was released that gives us a view at what we might expect from this zombie infested piece of goodness!
Trailer below.
http://capcom.gamespress.com/link.asp?i=245&r=132&r2=928
When more information is revealed, I'll make sure to be all over it!
Until next time!
Most of you know that I'm a huge zombie fan, and that I have been a huge follower of the Resident Evil game franchise. So, when I heard the Capcom will be releasing a new game for PS3, 360 and PC, my reaction was YES! When I found out it will take place in my favorite secluded urban setting of Raccoon City, I giggled with joy at the idea of revisiting that ill-fated city.
The name of this addition to the RE franchise is: Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City.
Capcom released a press note that revealed certain details about this new game. It will be third person perspective, you operate has either part of an Umbrella sanitation unity or U.S. military unit and the time line places the game during RE 2 and RE 3.
Ahh, why tell you about, I'll just post a link below to their website:
Capcom Reveals New Resident Evil Game!
I'm very excited to play a new RE game that takes place in good old Raccoon City. At this point, more information is still yet to be released but it should be interesting to see what game modes and objectives will be added to the newest entry.
I read also that game will be centered around coop interaction and game play that is similar to Left 4 Dead. There's even a teaser trailer that was released that gives us a view at what we might expect from this zombie infested piece of goodness!
Trailer below.
http://capcom.gamespress.com/link.asp?i=245&r=132&r2=928
When more information is revealed, I'll make sure to be all over it!
Until next time!
Something I Noticed Recently!
Hey, Guys!
For the past week, I have noticed a very significant spike in page view activity on my blog. At first, I was surprised by the increase and I little excited because people were visiting. However, now, I'm a little curious, mystified, concerned by the spike because it's still happening.
There are certain statistics that just don't add up, and I am fearful that somehow my blog my have been the victim of some kind of prank!
I hope this isn't the case because I really appreciate all the visitors who have visited or wandered onto my blog and read up on my posts. Thank You!
I hope I am not sounding harsh or too concerned about this, but this sudden and continuing rise is a little overwhelming, and I would like to know what is causing it? Maybe my posts have hit a popular trend or audience that identify with it. I don't know! Ha!
I guess what I'm saying is if this rise in views is for real then don't be afraid to drop me a line, post a comment, let me know who you are, where you're from or what you like about my blog! And, hey, become a follower and show your support for what I've been doing here! It's all about having fun and meeting new people, even if its only online.
Again, for those who have been with me since the beginning... Thank You! To those new to my blog... Welcome!
Stay safe, and until then!
For the past week, I have noticed a very significant spike in page view activity on my blog. At first, I was surprised by the increase and I little excited because people were visiting. However, now, I'm a little curious, mystified, concerned by the spike because it's still happening.
There are certain statistics that just don't add up, and I am fearful that somehow my blog my have been the victim of some kind of prank!
I hope this isn't the case because I really appreciate all the visitors who have visited or wandered onto my blog and read up on my posts. Thank You!
I hope I am not sounding harsh or too concerned about this, but this sudden and continuing rise is a little overwhelming, and I would like to know what is causing it? Maybe my posts have hit a popular trend or audience that identify with it. I don't know! Ha!
I guess what I'm saying is if this rise in views is for real then don't be afraid to drop me a line, post a comment, let me know who you are, where you're from or what you like about my blog! And, hey, become a follower and show your support for what I've been doing here! It's all about having fun and meeting new people, even if its only online.
Again, for those who have been with me since the beginning... Thank You! To those new to my blog... Welcome!
Stay safe, and until then!
Friday, March 25, 2011
For A Sunny Friday!
Today the sun came out and gave us a great start to the weekend. I came across this song by a favorite Japanese band called L'Arc~en~ciel.
The title is "My Heart Draws A Dream" and I feel it best describes the mood of this day. It has English subtitles below, so enjoy!
Enjoy!
And Draw Your Dreams!
Until next time
The title is "My Heart Draws A Dream" and I feel it best describes the mood of this day. It has English subtitles below, so enjoy!
Enjoy!
And Draw Your Dreams!
Until next time
Still Here!
Hey Guys!
Sorry it's been so long since my last post. Just going through life and all its drama. I'm sure most of you out there know what it's like to have drama in your life. It can come in any form, some of it is good and others can also be bad and not the way you expected it to be.
But, that's another story and not worth going into.
Well, first off, I want to say that I am fine and going about my things and responsibilities as always. I finished the first draft of this semester's MFA project and I'm proud of it. Now begins the revision process on that project, and working on some fiction for the upcoming residency.
My hands will be full for the next couple of weeks as I try to get all that in fine form, but I know I will get it done!
On another note, I'm sure all of you out there must be aware of what happened in Japan. The devastation in Fukushima is terrible, but from what I heard things seem to be holding. Still, the catastrophe due to the earthquake and subsequent Tsunami have left many there homeless and in need of provisions.
It saddened me to see such a thing happen, but, like life, it is unpredictable. All we can do is show support and give them as much relief as necessary to cope with the disaster. If you can help then please do by making donation to your nearest red cross, or affiliates that are taking donations!
Well, that's it for now. I promise to be back soon, so look forward to my next entry!
Until then!
Sorry it's been so long since my last post. Just going through life and all its drama. I'm sure most of you out there know what it's like to have drama in your life. It can come in any form, some of it is good and others can also be bad and not the way you expected it to be.
But, that's another story and not worth going into.
Well, first off, I want to say that I am fine and going about my things and responsibilities as always. I finished the first draft of this semester's MFA project and I'm proud of it. Now begins the revision process on that project, and working on some fiction for the upcoming residency.
My hands will be full for the next couple of weeks as I try to get all that in fine form, but I know I will get it done!
On another note, I'm sure all of you out there must be aware of what happened in Japan. The devastation in Fukushima is terrible, but from what I heard things seem to be holding. Still, the catastrophe due to the earthquake and subsequent Tsunami have left many there homeless and in need of provisions.
It saddened me to see such a thing happen, but, like life, it is unpredictable. All we can do is show support and give them as much relief as necessary to cope with the disaster. If you can help then please do by making donation to your nearest red cross, or affiliates that are taking donations!
Well, that's it for now. I promise to be back soon, so look forward to my next entry!
Until then!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)